Tag: YouTube Premium

  • YouTube Premium Price Increase in the US 2023

    YouTube Premium Price Increase in the US 2023

    Key Takeaway

    1. YouTube Premium prices have increased in the US across all plans, including Individual, Family, and Student options.
    2. The price hike is already visible on YouTube’s signup pages, with existing members billed at the new rates during their next billing cycle at least 30 days after the announcement.
    3. Premium Lite, a lower-cost option with fewer features, has also increased to $8.99 per month.
    4. The price increase prompts users to consider if the benefits of ad-free viewing, downloads, background play, and bundled Music access still justify the new costs.

    YouTube has recently decided to increase the prices of their Premium plans for folks in the US. If you check their pricing pages now, you’ll see that the YouTube Premium Individual is priced at $15.99 every month, while the annual plan costs $159.99. The Family plan is now $26.99 monthly, and for students, it is set at $8.99 each month. Techmeme reports that the regular individual plan went up by $2, and the family plan’s price increased by $4. Premium Lite, a more affordable option, also got a bump of $1, now costing $8.99 a month.

    Prices Now Displayed Clearly

    This new rates are no longer hidden behind initial account notices but are already for everyone to see on YouTube’s signup pages in the US. When you visit the main Premium page, you’ll see the different prices for individual, annual, family, and student plans all together on one selector. On the family plan page, YouTube still promotes it as a household plan that can cover up to six different accounts, making it seem like a good deal for families.

    Notification and Billing Policy

    According to YouTube’s official help guides, if your plan is set to increase in price, you’ll receive an email alert at least 30 days before the change in your country or region. For those already subscribed, the new rate will be billed starting from the first billing cycle that begins at least 30 days after the price hike. New subscribers will automatically pay the updated price right at signup, with no waiting period. It’s a straightforward process meant to keep users informed and prepared for the changes.

    Impact on Different Service Tiers

    The price increases touch not only the full Premium plan but also the cheaper Premium Lite plan in the US. As per YouTube’s help page, Premium Lite now costs $8.99 per month. This plan markets itself as an option for people who mainly want to enjoy fewer ads on most videos on YouTube and YouTube Kids. However, it’s important to note that some ads still pop up on music videos, Shorts, and during searches or browsing. Plus, it doesn’t come with the YouTube Music Premium feature or other premium perks, making it a lighter, less expensive alternative for ad-minimized viewing.

    What It Means for Users

    This increase marks yet another change in YouTube’s pricing landscape in the US, following earlier hikes in the Premium Family plan and the introduction of Premium Lite at a lower starting price. For consumers trying to decide whether or not to keep paying, the big question becomes: are the benefits like ad-free videos, downloads, background playback, and bundled Music and Premium features still worth the new monthly fee? Many will ponder if the added costs are justified by the improved experience or if they should reconsider their subscription options.

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  • YouTube Blocks Browser Workarounds: Background Playback for Premium Only

    YouTube Blocks Browser Workarounds: Background Playback for Premium Only

    Key Takeaways

    1. YouTube Premium offers ad-free viewing and allows background playback, which saves battery life for other smartphone activities.
    2. Previous workarounds for ad-free and background playback on YouTube are no longer effective due to new security measures enforced by the platform.
    3. Users previously relied on browser tricks, like desktop mode and picture-in-picture, which have now been disabled.
    4. The community has reacted negatively to these changes, accusing Google of degrading the free experience to promote YouTube Premium subscriptions.
    5. Discussions about new methods to bypass restrictions, such as scripts and modified clients, are emerging as users seek alternatives.

    YouTube Premium offers more than just an ad-free experience; it also allows for background playback when the app is minimized or the screen is off. This feature is beneficial as it helps save battery life, making it simpler to use a smartphone (for instance, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is currently priced at about $608 on Amazon) for other activities like browsing or messaging while still listening to music or podcasts. Up until recently, the nearly $14 monthly subscription fee has deterred many users. Ad blockers effectively managed ads, and various browser tricks permitted background playback without any cost. However, these solutions are no longer working, which might make subscribing to YouTube Premium a more appealing option for many users in the future.

    Workarounds Become Ineffective

    Most of the previous workarounds relied on accessing YouTube via a web browser. But starting in late January, the platform has enforced new security measures. Common tactics like using desktop mode, picture-in-picture, or specific browser add-ons have ceased to function. Now, when the screen goes dark, the browser is minimized, or the tab is sent to the background, playback halts. This issue impacts mobile browsers such as Samsung Internet, Firefox, Brave, Vivaldi, and Microsoft Edge.

    Community Reaction

    Google has confirmed this update to Android Authority, making it clear that background playback is now a feature exclusive to YouTube Premium and will be strictly applied across all platforms to maintain consistent usage. The feedback from the community has been largely negative. On Reddit, numerous users have accused Google, YouTube’s parent company, of intentionally lowering the quality of the free experience to lure users toward a Premium subscription. Meanwhile, conversations about new scripts, browser add-ons, and modified clients have already started. For many users, it seems like the ongoing struggle between the platform and its users is entering yet another phase.

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  • Frustration with Missing Skip Button and Annoying Ad Formats

    Frustration with Missing Skip Button and Annoying Ad Formats

    Key Takeaways

    1. Users are experiencing fewer skippable ads on YouTube, with some ads offering no skip option at all.
    2. New ad formats, such as “floating ads,” are disrupting the viewing experience and are hard to close, especially on mobile.
    3. YouTube appears to be conducting targeted testing of new ad styles to gauge user reactions and maintain viewership.
    4. There is increasing pressure on users to subscribe to YouTube Premium for an ad-free experience and additional features.
    5. Many users view the recent ad changes as a tactic to push subscriptions to the paid model, leading to negative feedback.

    Normally, most ads on YouTube can be skipped after five seconds using the skip button. However, according to users on Reddit, this option is becoming less frequent. In some cases, the button only appears at the very end of the ad—or it doesn’t show up at all. Screenshots shared on Reddit clearly display ads that claim to be skippable but actually provide no way to skip them. This leads to a very frustrating experience: some users mention that even refreshing the page—once a dependable workaround—now just brings up a different unskippable ad.

    Disruptive New Ad Formats

    New advertising formats, like the so-called “floating ads,” are also upsetting the YouTube experience. These are banner ads that hover over the video itself, often showing up after an ad has already been played or skipped. Users, especially those with the Opera GX browser, have reported that these annoying banners are difficult to close. On the mobile application, they sometimes even block the video completely, making it hard to watch anything.

    Targeted Testing of Ads

    The uneven rollout of these new advertisement styles indicates a targeted test. It seems that YouTube is trying out different user groups to see how much it can change its advertising strategy without losing viewers. While a technical error can’t be entirely dismissed, it appears unlikely considering the consistent feedback from multiple users.

    Increasing Pressure for Premium

    The pressure on users to subscribe to YouTube Premium is clearly on the rise. For $13.99 a month, Google provides ad-free viewing, downloads, and background playback. Many people view the recent changes as a way to push users towards the paid model—and the response has not been very positive.

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    Frustration with Missing Skip Button and Annoying Ad Formats

     

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  • Google Pixel 9a Launch: Free YouTube Premium & Google One Included

    Google Pixel 9a Launch: Free YouTube Premium & Google One Included

    Google’s new budget-friendly Pixel smartphone has appeared in yet another leak. This time, instead of uncovering new technical specifications or features, the latest information has revealed some exciting benefits that may come with purchasing the Pixel 9a. Here’s what you need to know.

    Exciting Offers with the Google Pixel 9a

    As per a report from Android Headlines, Google is set to release the Pixel 9a along with complimentary subscriptions to several of its well-known services. One of the most appealing offers is a free three-month subscription to YouTube Premium, which is ideal for frequent users of the video platform. In addition, you might also receive a three-month Google One subscription, which provides 100GB of online storage.

    Limitations on Subscriptions

    However, the report clarifies that the Google One subscription won’t include the AI Premium plan that contains the advanced features of Gemini. But wait! There’s more—early purchasers of the Pixel 9a could also enjoy a Fitbit Premium subscription for approximately six months. If this information proves to be accurate, the Pixel 9a will come with similar free offerings as the flagship Pixel 9 series.

    Upcoming Launch Details

    Only about a week ago, the Pixel 9a was seen being certified in the EMVCo database, and prior leaks have revealed potential pre-order and release dates. This budget-friendly smartphone is anticipated to make its debut during the annual Google I/O event, which typically occurs around May. Nevertheless, some rumors suggest that this year’s event might be scheduled for March 19, 2025. As this is still an unverified rumor, it’s best to take this information with a grain of salt for the time being.

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  • A New Era for Entertainment: YouTube Enters the World of Gaming with Playables

    A New Era for Entertainment: YouTube Enters the World of Gaming with Playables

    YouTube Introduces “Playables” Feature: A New Gaming Experience

    Competition in the digital content platform industry is heating up, with giants like YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ battling it out for more users and increased profits. To stand out from the crowd, each platform is employing unique strategies. For instance, Prime Video not only offers content access but also provides additional perks like free shipping on Amazon. Similarly, Netflix allows subscribers to access certain games with their subscription. Now, YouTube is joining the gaming trend with its latest feature: YouTube Playables.

    YouTube Playables: A New Way to Game

    In its continuous efforts to enhance the benefits for its Premium subscribers, YouTube has introduced the “Playables” feature. This feature allows users to play games directly on the platform without the need for any downloads. It offers a wide range of games across various genres, including puzzle, action, and strategy. The games are designed to be easy to pick up and play, providing users with an entertaining experience and a variety of challenges.

    YouTube’s Investment in Gaming

    Playables is a strategic move by YouTube to attract and retain its Premium subscribers. The company has been heavily investing in the gaming industry in recent years, and the introduction of Playables is a testament to this commitment. YouTube has been steadily increasing its gaming content, including live streams, esports, and reviews, to cater to the growing demand among its users.

    YouTube Premium Subscribers: Try Playables Today!

    If you are a YouTube Premium subscriber, you can now enjoy the Playables feature. It offers a fun and addictive way to spend your time on the platform and showcases YouTube’s dedication to innovation and expanding its offerings. Currently, there are 37 games available on YouTube Playables, including popular titles like Angry Birds Showdown, Sudoku, Pac-Man, and many more.

    Here is a list of all 37 games available on YouTube Playables:

    • 8 Ball Billiards Classic
    • Angry Birds Showdown
    • Basketball FRVR
    • Brain Out
    • Cannon Balls 3D
    • Carrom Clash Color
    • Color Pixel Art
    • Color Burst 3D
    • Crazy Caves
    • Cube Tower
    • Daily Crossword
    • Daily Solitaire
    • Stack Bounce
    • Scooter Extreme
    • Slice It All!
    • State.io
    • Summon Master
    • Golf It!
    • Crossy Road Castle
    • HTML5 Wordle
    • Sudoku
    • Minesweeper
    • Tetra Blocks
    • Snake
    • Bubble Shooter
    • Pac-Man
    • Space Invaders
    • Galaga
    • Arkanoid
    • Frogger
    • Qix
    • Centipede
    • Asteroids
    • Missile Command
    • Breakout
    • Pong
    • Tank Battle

    So, if you’re looking for a new gaming experience without the hassle of downloads, YouTube Playables is the perfect option for you. Give it a try and let the games begin!

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